This edition of our Made in Ireland series takes us back to the southeast of the country to what can only be described as one of the hubs of Irish manufacturing.
Located in Newtown near Bagenalstown, Co Carlow, ProDig Attachments has accumulated over 15 years of manufacturing tractor and loader attachments. One of the main reasons for the firm’s success is the name it has established for itself on international markets. We sat down with managing director Donny Nolan to find out more.
Background
In 2004, the Nolan family established Debcon Engineering, a structural engineering firm. A short time after came the economic downturn and work dried up. But like good engineers, the Nolans soon derived a solution and diversified the business.
Having had previous experience manufacturing loader buckets for telehandlers, the family made the decision to focus on manufacturing attachments. “The agricultural sector was always going to need tractor and loader attachments. Out of this, ProDig was later born,” according to Donny.
Over the years, ProDig has steadily grown its product range, turnover and market presence both at home and internationally. Debcon Construction remains a sister company, which is run by the three brothers, Donny, Eammon and Brian.
ProDig Attachments, Newtown, Bagenalstown, Co Carlow.
Products
“Shear grabs and the other bale-handling products quickly joined the product range and before too long we offered all attachments to handle bales, right through to feeding,” said Donny.
“The Mega Bite multipurpose shear grab stood out for its block cutting and bale feeding abilities due to its wide opening shear and plastic or net retainer. Then followed the Shear Genius with its three-in-one design attracting a lot of attention, especially for customers feeding with diet feeders.
“Following the shear range, we developed our range of grass forks which includes the standard, folding and push-off designs in a range of sizes. The large maize Dozers have also proved popular on Danish and German markets where maize and tractors over 300hp are both popular. In August, we shipped 10 4m maize Dozers to an importer in Denmark.
“The large high-tip buckets are another strong product for all material handling purposes. We also offer heavy duty versions. These along with bag fillers are a good year-round seller, with units working all across the world handling all sorts of materials. For example, we built a bespoke bag filler which is now working in Uzbekistan handling sulphur.”
New models
Now with over 150 different product variations on the market, ProDig is not a company to sit still. Although Donny remained tight-lipped regarding future products, he exclusively revealed to the Irish Farmers Journal that the ProDig traditional shear grab range has undergone a number of updates, with production set to commence this December.
Updates include larger 35mm Hardox tines, a new bottom section and repositioned rams for more direct force. Rams are now mounted using a clevis-type bracket, with larger pins and bushes than before.
Asked if there are any future plans to extend the ProDig range, he said: “We are looking at a few new products that are different to what we currently offer. We feel these will complement our existing range. However, they are still some time away yet.”
Export markets
“The Shear Genius was what really got us established on export markets. Today, total exports account for 70% of the business, which we expect to continually grow. The remaining 30% of the market is here at home, with a total of 35 dealers dotted across the country.
The ProDig 16ft folding silage fork.
“As it stands, we are in talks with distributors in seven new markets. These include Japan, USA, Canada and France, all of which look promising. The UK was our first export market, followed by New Zealand, with Germany and Denmark being the largest to date. If we cannot fill a container of products in a given week, we often share one with other Irish manufacturers such as Malone and HiSpec. When shipping to the same location, this benefits us all, meaning we can fulfil even the smaller orders.”
For the past number of years, the firm has been partnered with JCB for the supply of certain attachments for its JCB-branded range. ProDig is also the official attachment partner of New Holland for its wheel loader range.
“Enterprise Ireland has been a good help in securing new markets, helping lay the ground work in countries that are new to us. They help with communication where language barriers prove an issue and tend to know the reputable dealers,” Donny explained.
“We have a unique advantage over many manufacturers. Ninety percent of our components are manufactured within the county. All our hydraulic rams are sourced from Burnside Hydracyl in Ballymoon and hydraulic hoses, fitting and pins or bushes bought from Distag QCS in Tullow.”
Donny said there is much more of an appetite for the push off forks on export markets, especially in mainland Europe.
Opportunities and threats
“At the moment, COVID-19 has left us behind in terms of where we would like to be with establishing new markets, but we are confident these markets will work out.
“In terms of Brexit, it is what it is really. The UK aren’t self-sufficient when it comes to manufacturing agri-machinery.
“So, for example, if they want any Irish-built machinery, then I’m sure they’ll continue to import it, even if there are tariffs.”
The ProDig factory just had phase one of its expansion completed earlier this year to accommodate a new CNC plasma cutter and allow space for a new robotic welder, which was a substantial investment for the business.
Donny explained that the new robotic welding cell was a must for the business. The production line was streamlined, with a number of new gantry cranes added to speed up processes. ProDig is one of the few Irish manufacturers to be ISO 9001 accredited. According to Donny, the next phase of expansion will start in 2021 and will see an additonal 18,000sq m built on to the existing production line.
“If we are to continue to grow the business and explore new markets, then we need the extra production capacity to meet order demand.”
Profile
Business: ProDig Attachments.Established: 2005.Managing director: Donny Nolan.Employees: 32.Address: Newtown, Bagenalstown, Co Carlow.Markets to date: nine.
This edition of our Made in Ireland series takes us back to the southeast of the country to what can only be described as one of the hubs of Irish manufacturing.
Located in Newtown near Bagenalstown, Co Carlow, ProDig Attachments has accumulated over 15 years of manufacturing tractor and loader attachments. One of the main reasons for the firm’s success is the name it has established for itself on international markets. We sat down with managing director Donny Nolan to find out more.
Background
In 2004, the Nolan family established Debcon Engineering, a structural engineering firm. A short time after came the economic downturn and work dried up. But like good engineers, the Nolans soon derived a solution and diversified the business.
Having had previous experience manufacturing loader buckets for telehandlers, the family made the decision to focus on manufacturing attachments. “The agricultural sector was always going to need tractor and loader attachments. Out of this, ProDig was later born,” according to Donny.
Over the years, ProDig has steadily grown its product range, turnover and market presence both at home and internationally. Debcon Construction remains a sister company, which is run by the three brothers, Donny, Eammon and Brian.
ProDig Attachments, Newtown, Bagenalstown, Co Carlow.
Products
“Shear grabs and the other bale-handling products quickly joined the product range and before too long we offered all attachments to handle bales, right through to feeding,” said Donny.
“The Mega Bite multipurpose shear grab stood out for its block cutting and bale feeding abilities due to its wide opening shear and plastic or net retainer. Then followed the Shear Genius with its three-in-one design attracting a lot of attention, especially for customers feeding with diet feeders.
“Following the shear range, we developed our range of grass forks which includes the standard, folding and push-off designs in a range of sizes. The large maize Dozers have also proved popular on Danish and German markets where maize and tractors over 300hp are both popular. In August, we shipped 10 4m maize Dozers to an importer in Denmark.
“The large high-tip buckets are another strong product for all material handling purposes. We also offer heavy duty versions. These along with bag fillers are a good year-round seller, with units working all across the world handling all sorts of materials. For example, we built a bespoke bag filler which is now working in Uzbekistan handling sulphur.”
New models
Now with over 150 different product variations on the market, ProDig is not a company to sit still. Although Donny remained tight-lipped regarding future products, he exclusively revealed to the Irish Farmers Journal that the ProDig traditional shear grab range has undergone a number of updates, with production set to commence this December.
Updates include larger 35mm Hardox tines, a new bottom section and repositioned rams for more direct force. Rams are now mounted using a clevis-type bracket, with larger pins and bushes than before.
Asked if there are any future plans to extend the ProDig range, he said: “We are looking at a few new products that are different to what we currently offer. We feel these will complement our existing range. However, they are still some time away yet.”
Export markets
“The Shear Genius was what really got us established on export markets. Today, total exports account for 70% of the business, which we expect to continually grow. The remaining 30% of the market is here at home, with a total of 35 dealers dotted across the country.
The ProDig 16ft folding silage fork.
“As it stands, we are in talks with distributors in seven new markets. These include Japan, USA, Canada and France, all of which look promising. The UK was our first export market, followed by New Zealand, with Germany and Denmark being the largest to date. If we cannot fill a container of products in a given week, we often share one with other Irish manufacturers such as Malone and HiSpec. When shipping to the same location, this benefits us all, meaning we can fulfil even the smaller orders.”
For the past number of years, the firm has been partnered with JCB for the supply of certain attachments for its JCB-branded range. ProDig is also the official attachment partner of New Holland for its wheel loader range.
“Enterprise Ireland has been a good help in securing new markets, helping lay the ground work in countries that are new to us. They help with communication where language barriers prove an issue and tend to know the reputable dealers,” Donny explained.
“We have a unique advantage over many manufacturers. Ninety percent of our components are manufactured within the county. All our hydraulic rams are sourced from Burnside Hydracyl in Ballymoon and hydraulic hoses, fitting and pins or bushes bought from Distag QCS in Tullow.”
Donny said there is much more of an appetite for the push off forks on export markets, especially in mainland Europe.
Opportunities and threats
“At the moment, COVID-19 has left us behind in terms of where we would like to be with establishing new markets, but we are confident these markets will work out.
“In terms of Brexit, it is what it is really. The UK aren’t self-sufficient when it comes to manufacturing agri-machinery.
“So, for example, if they want any Irish-built machinery, then I’m sure they’ll continue to import it, even if there are tariffs.”
The ProDig factory just had phase one of its expansion completed earlier this year to accommodate a new CNC plasma cutter and allow space for a new robotic welder, which was a substantial investment for the business.
Donny explained that the new robotic welding cell was a must for the business. The production line was streamlined, with a number of new gantry cranes added to speed up processes. ProDig is one of the few Irish manufacturers to be ISO 9001 accredited. According to Donny, the next phase of expansion will start in 2021 and will see an additonal 18,000sq m built on to the existing production line.
“If we are to continue to grow the business and explore new markets, then we need the extra production capacity to meet order demand.”
Profile
Business: ProDig Attachments.Established: 2005.Managing director: Donny Nolan.Employees: 32.Address: Newtown, Bagenalstown, Co Carlow.Markets to date: nine.
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